External infusion device with remote programming, bolus estimator and/or vibration alarm capabilities

Abstract

An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 096,994 filed on Aug. 18, 1998, which is herein specifically incorporated by reference.[0002] This invention relates to external infusion devices and, in particular embodiments, to a medication infusion device that includes the capability to be remotely controlled, a bolus estimator to determine the dosage to be administered by the infusion device, and a vibration alarm.[0003] Insulin must be provided to people with Type I and many with Type II diabetes. Traditionally, since it cannot be taken orally, insulin has been injected with a syringe. More recently, use of external infusion pump therapy has been increasing, especially for delivering insulin for diabetics using devices worn on a belt, in a pocket, or the like, with the insulin delivered via a catheter with a percutaneous needle or cannula placed in the subcutaneous tissue. For example, as of 1995, less than 5% of Type I diabetics in t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, an external infusion device for infusion of a liquid into a body includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the conunands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device. In this way, the external infusion device can be operated when concealed from view by being remotely commanded.

[0055] In preferred embodiments, the external infusion device 10 includes a receiver to receive the commands from the RF programmer 12. Normally, the receiver is in a standby mode (e.g., not receiving) and becomes active for short periods every 2.5 seconds (approximately) to see if there is any RF activity from the RF programmer 12. In alternative embodiments, the receiver of the external infusion device 10 may be on continuously or may become active more often or less often, with the selection being dependent on power capacity, expected frequency of use of the RF programmer 12, or the like. Generally, the receiver of the external infusion device 10 requires that the RF programmer send an activating message for a period lasting about 5 seconds for the RF programmer to be recognized by the receiver. In alternative embodiments, longer or shorter periods of time for sending the activating message may be used.

Problems solved by technology

Although offering control, pump therapy can suffer from several complications that make use of a pump less desirable for the user.

One drawback is the inability to conceal an external infusion pump and catheter tubing from view.

However, this is inconvenient or impractical, especially for diseases such as diabetes, since a user must have ready access to the external pump for monitoring or administering extra amounts of medication (i.e., boluses during the course of the day).

A further drawback is the inability to limit the access of the user to certain capabilities.

However, if access is very limited, a user may even have to go to the factory and / or to the physician to have the parameters changed.

Another drawback for diabetic pump users, in particular, is the determination of the amount of bolus insulin to be delivered for a meal so as to avoid high blood sugars that would otherwise be caused by the meal.

This can be a difficult calculation using formulas and approximations that have several variables that must be measured and calculated.

Often, it is easier, but not the best for control, for the user to simply guess what they need rather than to calculate the actual amount of the bolus needed to adequately cover the carbohydrates being consumed.

However, in worse case scenarios, guessing can lead to under or overdosing of medication, sometimes with dire consequences.

Another drawback to using an infusion pump, is the step of priming the external infusion pump to remove gas bubbles in the reservoir and / or tubing.

However, unless all bubbles are moved to the distal end of the reservoir, the user will have to expel a larger amount of medication, which can be wasteful, and very costly for special types of medications, such as those used in HIV and cancer treatment.

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